Done

Dukes exit playoffs in the first round

So it’s over. Victims of a brutal playoff structure, the Dukes lost two games, so they are out. The season is done. The best-of-three format was always going to make it a crapshoot. There is no leeway. No forgiveness. A stumble—or in the Dukes’ case, a slightly hungrier opponent— and suddenly a season of hard work and achievement is over. Unceremoniously so.

From East Division Champions to the sidelines in a week.

GAME 1
It was tough going. A hard-fought, highspeed slugfest. But in the end, one team wanted the victory a little bit more. And that team wasn’t the hometown Dukes.

T’was always going to be this way. It was no surprise the Cobourg Cougars would come to Wellington believing they could pull out a win over the first-place Dukes. Wellington’s players and coaches knew it too.

The Dukes played a disciplined and solid game—effectively clogging up the middle of the ice and preventing a clear entry into their zone.

The Cougars, however, pounced on every rebound, creating lanes left by the Dukes players now chasing the play. And so it was midway through the first period that a Dukes turnover in the Cobourg zone resulted in a rush by the Cougars’ Charlie Da- Fonseca. He dipped inside to the slot and wielded the Dukes defender as a screen to fire a wrister past Matt Dunsmoor for the game’s first goal.

Seconds later, another turnover, this time in the neutral zone, resulted in another Cobourg rush. Caleb Thompson got a quick shot away. Past Dunsmoor. Suddenly the Dukes were trailing two goals against a team that has proven its defensive mettle all season long.

In the second period, both teams were tight, close and hard working. Late in the frame, the Dukes were playing with a 4-3 man advantage. David Campbell was perched at the top of the slot. That is where Jacob Vreugdenhil found him with a pass. Campbell picked his spot. Fired. The Dukes were on the board.

The momentum shifted o-so-slightly.

Midway through the third, the Dukes were on another power play but struggled to make it work. Once back to even strength, the Cougars pounced on the Dukes, who were now chasing the play. Cobourg moved the puck around. Dukes’ bodies were blocking shots. But it wasn’t enough. A loose puck was shovelled through the heap and into the Dukes’ net. 3-1.

With 2:23 remaining, Dukes coach Derek Smith pulled Dunsmoor. And it worked.

David Campbell to Jacob Vreugdenhil in the mid-slot. Hard shot. Goal. The Dukes were within one of tying the game. But they would get no closer. They could not close the gap.

GAME 2
Largely a repeat of game one—both teams battled hard. Each worked the corners. Clogged up the neutral zone. And both created scoring opportunities. And both were solid defensively. But the Cougars were just a smidge better. While the outcome of this game was essentially a coin toss, it was Cobourg who created the better scoring chances. But not by much.

And early in the second, they caught the Dukes chasing the puck in their own zone. The Cougars moved the puck around swiftly. To the shooter in the right faceoff circle. Shot. Dukes netminder Ethan Morrow had no chance.

And that was it. To repeat, the Dukes had some chances to tie the game, but the Cougars were just a bit more resilient. That was all the difference.

So good luck to the Cobourg Cougars. Whether it is the Trenton Golden Hawks or the Haliburton County Muskies, they will face a determined, skilled and hardworking opponent in the Cobourg Cougars.

As for the Wellington Dukes, we will consider the excitement this team generated after their absence for a season and a bit. We will remember the thrilling entertainment. We will remember the talent that was with us for just a short while.

And soon enough, we will be looking forward to next season.